arXiv subjects

Guillermo A. Silva

Publications and source records attributed to Guillermo A. Silva.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ladder Operators and Fermionic Tensor Fields on Maximally Symmetric Spaces

We construct first-order ladder operators for spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Dirac fields and transverse, $γ$-traceless spin-$\frac{3}{2}$ Rarita--Schwinger fields on maximally symmetric spaces using non-isometric closed conformal Killing vectors. For both spins, we find three distinct operators: two of them, $\mathcal{D}$ and $\mathcal{D}^{s}$, shift the conformal label as $Δ\to Δ\pm 1$, while a third operator, $\widetilde{\mathcal{D}}$, reverses the sign of the Dirac eigenvalue at fixed $Δ$. The latter exists in arbitrary dimensions and reduces to the standard infinitesimal conformal transformation of a primary spinor when acting on massless spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ fields. On $S^N$, the ladder operators relate neighboring fermionic harmonics and generate the spinor tower from Killing-spinor seeds. In Lorentzian signature, we study their action on de Sitter mode spaces. In $dS_4$, the spin-$\frac{3}{2}$ ladders connect the zero-Dirac-mass sector with the fermionic gauge points $M=\pm i/\ell$, while $\widetilde{\mathcal{D}}$ extends to arbitrary mass the conformal-like transformation previously identified for the gauge field. We explicitly present the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ and spin-$\frac{3}{2}$ fermionic harmonics on spheres as well as the de Sitter mode solutions. Finally, we derive the Casimir operators on $S^3$, $dS_3$, and $dS_4$ corresponding to SO(4), SO(3,1) and SO(4,1), and relate their eigenvalues for UIRs to the allowed masses in the fermionic field equations. These results provide a unified geometric framework relating conformal Killing geometry, fermionic Dirac-type spectra, and the representation theory of maximally symmetric spaces.

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arXiv2026

Fermionic fields of higher spin in de Sitter space

We consider fermionic fields of higher spin on a four-dimensional de Sitter background. A particular emphasis is placed on the Rarita-Schwinger spin-$\tfrac{3}{2}$ case. Both massive fields and gauge fields are considered, and their relation to the representation theory of $SO(4,1)$ is discussed. In Lorentzian signature, we study properties of the Bunch-Davies mode functions, and the late time structure of their two-point functions. For the Rarita-Schwinger gauge field, we consider a quantisation procedure based on the Minkowskian limit of the field operator. In Euclidean signature, the fields are placed on a four-sphere and the Euclidean path integral is computed at one-loop. The resulting Euclidean partition function is expressed in terms of unitary Lorentzian group characters with edge corrections. The unitary nature of the characters contrasts the lack of a conventional real action for the Rarita-Schwinger gauge field in de Sitter space. We speculate on the microscopic properties of a theory comprised of an infinite tower of interacting integer and half-integer gauge fields in de Sitter space. Along the way, we discuss a potentially interesting expression for the higher-spin path integral on the four-sphere.

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arXiv2024

Spinning fields on S$^d$ and dS$_d$, UIRs and Ladder operators

We construct, for spin $0,1,2$ tensor fields on S$^d$, a set of ladder operators that connect the distinct UIRs of SO$(d+1)$. This is achieved by relying on the conformal Killing vectors of S$^d$. For the case of spinning fields, the ladder operators generalize previous expressions with a compensating transformation necessary to preserve the transversality condition. We then extend the results to the Exceptional/Discrete UIRs of SO$(d,1)$, again relying on the conformal Killing vectors of de Sitter space. Our construction recovers the conventional conformal primary transformations for the scalar fields when the mass term leads to conformal coupling. A similar approach for the spin-2 field leads to the conformal-like operators found recently.

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arXiv2023

Notes on Gauge Fields and Discrete Series representations in de Sitter spacetimes

In this note we discuss features of the simplest spinning Discrete Series Unitary Irreducible Representations (UIR) of SO(1,4). These representations are known to be realised in the single particle Hilbert space of a free gauge field propagating in a four dimensional fixed de Sitter background. They showcase distinct features as compared to the more common Principal Series realised by heavy fields. Upon computing the $1-$loop Sphere path integral we show that the \emph{edge modes} of the theory can be understood in terms of a Discrete Series of SO$(1,2)$. We then canonically quantise the theory and show how group theory constrains the mode decomposition. We further clarify the role played by the second SO(4) Casimir in the single particle Hilbert space of the theory.

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arXiv2023

Beyond AdS$_2$/dCFT$_1$: Insertions in Two Wilson Loops

We consider two-point correlators of local operator insertions in a system of two Wilson-Maldacena loops in ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on both sides of the AdS/CFT correspondence. On the holographic side the correlator of two Wilson-Maldacena loops is given by a classical string world-sheet which in one phase connects two asymptotically AdS$_2$ regions and in the other phase is given by two disconnected AdS$_2$ caps; this configuration breaks supersymmetry as well as conformal invariance. We present a complete systematic account of the string world-sheet fluctuations, including the fermionic sector, and study the behavior of the holographic two-point correlators. On the field theory side we compute certain two-point correlators of local operator insertions by resumming sets of ladder diagrams. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of previously developed methods in tackling this non-conformal, non-susy regime.

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arXiv2023

Interpolating Boundary Conditions on $AdS_2$

We consider two instances of boundary conditions for massless scalars on $AdS_2$ that interpolate between the Dirichlet and Neumann cases while preserving scale invariance. Assessing invariance under the full $SL(2;\mathds{R})$ conformal group is not immediate given their non-local nature. To further clarify this issue, we compute holographically 2- and 4-point correlation functions using the aforementioned boundary conditions and study their transformation properties. Concretely, motivated by the dual description of some multi-parametric families of Wilson loops in ABJM theory, we look at the excitations of an open string around an $AdS_2\subset AdS_4\times\mathbb{CP}^3$ worldsheet, thus obtaining correlators of operators inserted along a $1$-dimensional defect in ${\cal N}=6$ super Chern-Simons-matter theory at strong coupling. Of the two types of boundary conditions analyzed, only one leads to the expected functional structure for conformal primaries; the other exhibits covariance under translations and rescalings but not under special conformal transformations.

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arXiv2022

Fermionic Matrix Models and Bosonization

We explore different limits of exactly solvable vector and matrix fermionic quantum mechanical models with quartic interactions at finite temperature. The models preserve a $U(1)\times SU(N)\times SU(L)$ symmetry at the classical level and we analyze them through bosonization techniques introducing scalar (singlet) and matrix (non-singlet) bosonic fields. The bosonic path integral representations in the vector limits $(N,1)$ and $(1,L)$ are matched to fermionic Fock space Hamiltonians expressed in terms of quadratic Casimirs and some additional terms involving the Cartan subalgebra, which makes explicit the symmetries preserved by scalar and matrix bosonizations at the quantum level. For the case of non-singlet bosonization we find an equivalence between the vector model and the Polychronakos+Frahm spin model. Using this relation we compute the free energy. Finally, we compute the eigenvalue distribution in the large $N,L$-limit with $ α= \frac{L}{N}$ fixed. The model displays a third order phase transition as we vary the temperature which, in the $α\gg1$ limit, can be characterized analytically. We conclude finding the critical curve in the parameter space were the eigenvalue distribution transitions from single to double cut.

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arXiv2022

Thermalization of Holographic Excited States

We propose a real time holographic framework to study thermalization processes of a family of QFT excited states. The construction builds on Skenderis-van Rees's holographic duals to QFT Schwinger-Keldysh complex-time ordered paths. Thermalization is explored choosing a set of observables $F_n$ which essentially isolate the excited state contribution. Focusing on theories defined on compact manifolds and with excited states defined in terms of Euclidean path integrals, we identify boundary conditions that allow to avoid any number of modes in the initial field state. In the large conformal dimensions regime, we give precise prescriptions on how to compute the observables in terms of bulk geodesics.

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arXiv2020

Supersymmetric Mixed Boundary Conditions in AdS$_2$ and DCFT$_1$ Marginal Deformations

We consider different supersymmetric mixed boundary conditions for scalar and fermionic fields in $AdS_2$, searching for the dual description of a family of interpolating Wilson Loops in ABJM theory. The family, which interpolates between the bosonic 1/6 BPS loop and the 1/2 BPS loop, can be thought of as an exact marginal deformation in a defect CFT$_1$. Confronting this property against holographic correlators and vacuum energy corrections singles out a particular boundary condition which we propose as dual to the interpolating family of Wilson loops.

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arXiv2019

Roadmap on Wilson loops in 3d Chern-Simons-matter theories

This is a compact review of recent results on supersymmetric Wilson loops in ABJ(M) and related theories. It aims to be a quick introduction to the state of the art in the field and a discussion of open problems. It is divided into short chapters devoted to different questions and techniques. Some new results, perspectives and speculations are also presented. We hope this might serve as a baseline for further studies of this topic.

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arXiv2019

One-loop Holography with Strings in $AdS_4\times\mathbb {CP}^3$

We compute the one-loop effective action of string configurations embedded in $AdS_4\times\mathbb{CP}^3$ which are dual to $\frac{1}{6}$-BPS latitude Wilson Loops in the ABJM theory. To avoid ambiguities in the string path integral we subtract the $\frac{1}{2}$-BPS case. The one-loop determinants are computed by Fourier-decomposing the two dimensional operators and then using the Gel'fand-Yaglom method. We comment on various aspects related to the regularization procedure, showing the cancellation of a hierarchy of divergences. After taking into account an IR anomaly from a change in topology, we find a precise agreement with the field theory result known from supersymmetric localization.

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arXiv2019

Holographic excited states in AdS Black Holes

We have recently presented a geometry dual to a Schwinger-Keldysh closed time contour, with two equal $β/2$ length Euclidean sections, which can be thought of as dual to the Thermo Field Dynamics formulation of the boundary CFT. In this work we study non-perturbative holographic excitations of the thermal vacuum by turning on asymptotic Euclidean sources. In the large-$N$ approximation the states are found to be thermal coherent state and we manage to compute its eigenvalues. We pay special attention to the high temperature regime where the manifold is built from pieces of Euclidean and Lorentzian black hole geometries. In this case, the real time segments of the Schwinger-Keldysh contour get connected by an Einstein-Rosen wormhole through the bulk, which we identify as the exterior of a single maximally extended black hole. The Thermal-AdS case is also considered but, the Lorentzian regions become disconnected, its results mostly follows from the zero temperature case.

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arXiv2018

The Gravity Dual of Real-Time CFT at Finite Temperature

We present a spherically symmetric aAdS gravity solution with Schwinger-Keldysh boundary condition dual to a CFT at finite temperature defined on a complex time contour. The geometry is built by gluing the exterior of a two-sided AdS Black Hole, the (aAdS) Einstein-Rosen wormhole, with two Euclidean black hole halves. These pieces are interpreted as the gravity duals of the two Euclidean $β/2$ segments in the SK path, each coinciding with a Hartle-Hawking-Maldacena (TFD) vacuum state, while the Lorentzian regions naturally describes the real-time evolution of the TFD doubled system. Within the context of Skenderis and van Rees real-time holographic prescription, the new solution should be compared to the Thermal AdS spacetime since both contribute to the gravitational path integral. In this framework, we compute the time ordered 2-pt functions of scalar CFT operators via a non-back-reacting Klein-Gordon field for both backgrounds and confront the results. When solving for the field we find that the gluing leads to a geometric realization of the Unruh trick via a completely holographic prescription. Interesting observations follow from $\langle {\cal O}_L{\cal O}_R\rangle$, which capture details of the entanglement of the (ground) state and the connectivity of the spacetime.

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arXiv2018

Toward Precision Holography in Type IIA with Wilson Loops

We study the one-loop effective action of certain classical type IIA string configurations in $AdS_4\times \mathbb{CP}^3$. These configurations are dual to Wilson loops in the $\mathcal{N}= 6\:$ $U(N)_k \times U(N)_{-k}$ Chern-Simons theory coupled to matter whose expectation values are known via supersymmetric localization. We compute the one-loop effective actions using two methods: perturbative heat kernel techniques and full $ζ$-function regularization. We find that the result of the perturbative heat kernel method matches the field theory prediction at the appropriate order while the $ζ$-function approach seems to lead to a disagreement. We explore various issues that might be responsible for this state of affairs.

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arXiv2018

Functional Determinants of Radial Operators in $AdS_2$

We study the zeta-function regularization of functional determinants of Laplace and Dirac-type operators in two-dimensional Euclidean $AdS_2$ space. More specifically, we consider the ratio of determinants between an operator in the presence of background fields with circular symmetry and the free operator in which the background fields are absent. By Fourier-transforming the angular dependence, one obtains an infinite number of one-dimensional radial operators, the determinants of which are easy to compute. The summation over modes is then treated with care so as to guarantee that the result coincides with the two-dimensional zeta-function formalism. The method relies on some well-known techniques to compute functional determinants using contour integrals and the construction of the Jost function from scattering theory. Our work generalizes some known results in flat space. The extension to conformal $AdS_2$ geometries is also considered. We provide two examples, one bosonic and one fermionic, borrowed from the spectrum of fluctuations of the holographic $\frac{1}{4}$-BPS latitude Wilson loop.

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arXiv2018

Zeta-function Regularization of Holographic Wilson Loops

Using $ζ$-function regularization, we study the one-loop effective action of fundamental strings in $AdS_5\times S^5$ dual to the latitude $\frac{1}{4}$-BPS Wilson loop in $\mathcal{N}=4$ Super-Yang-Mills theory. To avoid certain ambiguities inherent to string theory on curved backgrounds we subtract the effective action of the holographic $\frac{1}{2}$-BPS Wilson loop. We find agreement with the expected field theory result at first order in the small latitude angle expansion but discrepancies at higher order.

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arXiv2017

Interacting fields in real-time AdS/CFT

We compute time-ordered 2- and 3-pt correlation functions of CFT scalar operators between generic in/out states. The calculation is holographically carried out by considering a non backreacting AdS scalar field with a $λϕ^3$ self-interaction term on a combination of Euclidean and Lorentzian AdS sections following the Skenderis-van Rees prescription. We show that, although working in an essentially different set up, the final result for the 3-pt correlators agree with those of Rastelli et al. for Euclidean AdS. By analyzing the inner product between the in/out excited states in the large $N$ approximation, we argue that a cubic bulk interaction deforms the excited states from coherent into \emph{squeezed}. Finally, a diagrammatic interpretation of the results suggests some general properties for the $n$-point correlation functions between excited states.

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arXiv2016

Solvable Quantum Grassmann Matrices

We explore systems with a large number of fermionic degrees of freedom subject to non-local interactions. We study both vector and matrix-like models with quartic interactions. The exact thermal partition function is expressed in terms of an ordinary bosonic integral, which has an eigenvalue repulsion term in the matrix case. We calculate real time correlations at finite temperature and analyze the thermal phase structure. When possible, calculations are performed in both the original Hilbert space as well as the bosonic picture, and the exact map between the two is explained. At large $N$, there is a phase transition to a highly entropic high temperature phase from a low temperature low entropy phase. Thermal two-point functions decay in time in the high temperature phase.

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